tankisbyon

Did my first Ironman this year, and want to do more, but the prospect of the swim training does not exactly have me jumping up and down with excitement. I find training in the pool, especially for the very long sets and over-distance sessions absolutely soul-destroying. I have been thinking about getting an underwater MP3 player to make these sessions a little less miserable, thinking I could listen to audio books or music etc while training. Does anyone have any experience with using them? Have looked online, they have mixed reviews and they are f&*! - ing expensive, so I want to know I am not wasting my money on one.. Any advice?

Can we still make a contribution?

I have had good experiences with Linden cycles. They are generally honest and not just trying to rip you off...like Cajees. They also often have pretty decent second hand deals...

So who took part yesterday. I had a great race. Did 5h33, despite having some bike trouble. My rear tyre went flat 4 times, despite changing the tube. Think there must be something in the tyre that is re-puncturing, will have to give it a more thorough inspection. Had to stop every 10 km to re-inflate my tyre. Other than that, had a great swim and an awesome run, best half-marathon time I have ever done.. Feeling pretty confident about 6 April

Thanks. Sounds good

Does anyone know what the venue is like where the event is being held? I see its at the Abrahamsrust pleasure resort or something? Whats this place like, wanna know if I must bring the missus with or not, if its a cr@ppy venue, then I'll tell her to rather stay home.... Anyone?

Hey guys, My bike needs to go in for a service/tune-up. The closest place to me is Linden cycles. Anyone had an experience with their work w.r.t services and repairs etc? I often hear stories of guys sending their bikes into places and getting them back in worse shape, so I need somewhere to take my bike that wont rip me off for the sake of it, but whose workmanship is up to scratch. Any recommendations welcome. Thanks

I do a lot of kicking drills with fins. I know its cheating a little, but I have still noticed an improvement in my kick when doing freestyle.

I think thats the time to register on the morning of the event

Do we need to buy a timing chip? Also, will we be able to register on the morning of the race?

I had the same, but not after 20 minutes, normally only after a few hours in the saddle. I have played around with my set-up, so that I am not leaning on my hands as much and that has seemed to help. Especially moving the seat forward. Think it very much has to do with the set up

Thanks, Which is the better race in terms of aid stations, atmosphere, organization etc etc?

Has anyone done this before? I was going to do the Buffelspoort one on 9 March as a tune up before IMSA, but the date of this one suits me more, as will have less of an impact on my IM training.... How do the 2 compare?

Still have to figure mine out, but I wont be having too many gels, every race I have done before, which were all much shorter that I took gels in, I ended up with stomach problems... For the run, I am also going to be sticking to mostly liquids, again due to stomach problems... My stomach and running are not friends... Gonna try for about 400 calories per hour - I have bonked a few times, especially on the bike and I never seem to learn that I need more calories than I think..

I have also been wondering about this and asked about it in the Triathlon thread. I think I will still do it, but will take it easy and stay in Zone 2 most of the time. I figure that at that point I should be riding much greater distances and running about that anyway, so as long as I dont go hard it shouldn't mess me up too much - at least that's my thinking... I also want to do it because I have put so much effort into IM, that if something were to happen around the time of IM (i.e. getting ill or a family emergency or something) and I can't go, then at least I will have Buffels 70.3 to show for my 5 months of effort

I see the buffelspoort triathlon entries are open. Its on 9 March, 4 weeks before IMSA. Would doing a half IM distance race that close to IM be wise? I am concerned that it could require too much recovery and impact your ability to be getting long runs and rides in at that point.... Any experienced Ironmen have a take on this?

Thanks, will check on Google maps which is the closest from my side

Hey guys, I know this has been a previous thread somewhere, hoping someone can maybe give an answer more suitable. With IMSA drawing ever nearer, I need to start getting in my long rides. Riding around where I live is not really feasible anymore - there are too many traffic lights and stops and downhills etc. I am coming from the Northcliff side and will be heading to the cradle from Beyers Naude drive. I want to waste as little time as possible driving before I can start riding. Does anyone know where its safe for me to park and then SAFELY ride to the cradle really early in the morning (before 6 am on weekends)? Thanks

Whiskey is 43% alcohol, so if my maths is correct: 1200ml x 0.43 = 516ml alcohol x 7 calories = 3612 calories, which is only about half of what you might need. Would probably need 3-4 bottles of whisky to get through the race....... I think the point of diminishing returns is reached VERY VERY quickly if one were to try and use alcohol...haha

But remember beer is only about 5% alcohol......Whiskey will pack more of a punch

I don't think you can convert calories to carbs, but you can convert carbs into calories: 1g Carbs/Sugar = 4 calories for other reference: 1g Protein = 4 calories 1g fat = 9 calories 1g alcohol = 7 calories 4.18Kj = 1 calorie

Cool. Do they have bananas along the route on IM. I am thinking that with my training I will use a combination of energy bars, gels and bananas. They reasoning being that I should be able to replicate that nutrition during IM, as I will be able to get gels and bananas along the route and can carry a few energy bars with me

What do they usually have along the bike and run routes, do ONLY have Gu? Don't they also have bananas, boiled potatoes etc? I cant afford to drop R200+ every weekend just to train with Gu... The few times I have used Gu with long runs has caused me to get an upset stomach anyway

Thanks, yeah was thinking that the program was a little light, had been planning on making the long rides longer, and also perhaps lengthening some of the runs, as the longest run on there is only 2 hours

Thanks, yeah I have seen that program. I'm not starting from scratch with the 12 week program. Been training since August actually, but not on an official program. I'm at the level where I think I could do a half IM now.